Glass cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for cleaning glass and other optical surfaces in which a cleaning fluid is applied and then picked up by lightly passing over the surface a vacuum pickup device comprising a tank containing a cellular sponge and covered on one open side which is passed over the surface, with non-abrasive material, the tank having a vacuum applied to it. Various modifications are shown including a combined apparatus for applying and picking up the fluid and an apparatus supported on an air bearing table for use when no surface contact can be tolerated.

United States Patent 1191 Dotsko June 18, 1974 1 GLASS CLEANING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Martin Dotsko, Binghamton, NY.

[73] Assignee: The Singer Company, Binghamton,

[22 Filed: Dec.21, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 210,337

[52] US. Cl 15/4, 15/103, 15/321, 15/327 A, 134/6, 134/21 [51] Int. Cl A471 7/06 [58] Field of Search.. 134/6, 21; 15/250.03, 250.04, 15/320, 321, 103, 214, 327 A, 345, 4, 102

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,982,345 11/1934 Kirby 15/250.04 X 2,003,847 6/1935 Woods 134/6 2,814,064 11/1957 Montgomery 15/327 A X 3,102,294 /1963 Miller et a1. 15/214 X 3,281,885 11/1966 Hersh 3,321,331 5/1967 McNeely "I: ..134/6X 3,408,673 11/1968 ()xel 15/320 X 3,418,672 12/1968 Regan 134/6 X 3,594,849 7/1971 Coshow 15/321 3,599,272 8/1971 Merrick 15/321 Primary Examiner-Morris O. Wolk Assistant ExaminerT. W. Hagan Attorney, Agent, or FirmAndrew L. Rain [5 7] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for cleaning glass and other optical surfaces in which a cleaning fluid is applied and then picked up by lightly passing over the surface a vacuum pickup device comprising a tank containing a cellular sponge and covered on one open side which is passed over the surface, with non-abrasive material, the tank having a vacuum applied to it. Various modifications are shown including a combined apparatus for applying and picking up the fluid and an apparatus supported on an air bearing table for use when no surface contact can be tolerated.

19 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 18 mm 3.8 1 6, 868

SHEET 1 or 2 m QUE U BY MCiQflE/lm AGEINT INVENTOR.

1 GLASS CLEANING APPARATUS This invention relates to cleaning of surfaces in genera] and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for cleaning large optical surfaces.

Present day aircraft simulators and other types of trainers very often have visual systems attached thereto. In a typical system the image which the trainee views is presented through an infinity imaging system comprising a spherical mirror and beam splitter. In some systems a plurality of such displays are combined to form a wide angle display. For example see U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,920 issued to F. W. McGlasson on May 2, 1972 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In service the optical surfaces tend to accumulate dust and dirt and finger prints get on the surfaces during installation and maintenance. The mirror surfaces (generally front surface mirrors are used) are very sensitive to scratching. Cleaning is difficult because of these sensitive surfaces and also because of the inaccessibility of some parts of the system.

Thus an efficient cleaning method and apparatus which will not harm the delicate surfaces and will permit reaching normally inaccessible areas is required. Such a system, it should be noted, could equally well be used for home and industrial window cleaning as will be evident below.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved cleaning method and apparatus for glass and other optical surfaces.

Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus which will permit getting at inaccessible areas.

A further object is to provide such a method and apparatus which will not harm delicate surfaces.

It is also an object to provide such a method and apparatus useful for cleaning optical systems in flight simulators.

A still further object is to provide such a method and apparatus useful in window cleaning.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred simple embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment containing fluid and applying means; and

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a third embodiment showing additional optional features.

The simplest form of the cleaning apparatus is shown in FIG. 1. A metal tank 11 airtight on five sides has an inlet pipe 13 connected via a hose 15 to a vacuum source 17 such as a vacuum pump or vacuum cleaner. In the tank 11 from the open side is fitted a cellular sponge 19. A baffle plate with holes in it keeps sponge 19 in place and prevents the vacuum from pulling the sponge up into the tank. Around the bottom of tank 11 and fastened to it with clips 21 or other suitable means is lens tissues or soft, absorbent cloth 23.

This form of the apparatus may be used where the surface to be cleaned is readily accessible. Cleaning fluid or solvent is applied to the surface to be cleaned by a soft brush or other means and the apparatus of FIG. 1 then lightly passed over the wet surface to pick up the fluid and with it the dissolved dirt, etc. The sponge l9 prevents the fluid from reaching the vacuum source 17 and tissue or cloth 23 protects the'surface. Only a light pressure is required on the apparatus lessening the danger of scratches.

With all the embodiments shown various cleaning fluids may be used. Trichloroethylene works well for most types of marks commonly found, i. e., finger prints, hair oil, etc., and is quite volatile requiring a low vacuum. Alcohol may also be used but will require a higher vacuum. If a high enough vacuum is available even a conventional detergent solution in water may be used. Such a solution may be needed for some types of stains. If the vacuum will not pick up this solution and still keep pad 23 dry, a two step process may be used in which a detergent is first used to dislodge stubborn dirt, allowed to dry and then the volatile cleaning fluid applied and picked up by the vacuum. Whatever fluid is used, the vacuum must be suffici ent to pick it up and keep pad 23 dry.

In FIG. 2 is shown a version of the cleaning apparatus which may be used where surfaces are not easily accessible for the cleaning fluid to be applied. A first tank 11 the same as that described in connection with FIG. 1 has connected to it by rigid supports 26 a second tank 25 of similar design containing on :its open end pad 27 of felt or a similar material. Tank 25 may be filled with cleaning fluid and capped or the fluid may be supplied over a tube 29 from supply means 31. Supply means 31 may be a tank with gravity feed or may include a small pump. A handle 33 may be attached to the tanks and made of a length and so oriented as to allow access to the surfaces to be cleaned. Tank 25 may alternately have a pressure and vacuum applied to it resulting in a scrubbing action by pads 27. If used for window cleaning where corners are present, tanks 11 and 25 may be mounted back to back in which case a two step process of first applying and then picking up the fluid will be re quired. If curved surfaces such as spherical mirrors are to be cleaned the pads 23 and 27 may be constructed to take the proper shape, i. e., convex, concave, etc.

FIG. 3 shows some other possible variations of the cleaning apparatus. Tank 25 may be replaced by an atomizer 35 which will spray a thin film of fluid to be picked up by tank 11. The tissue 23 may be placed on rollers 37 one of which is connected through gearing to a very slow speed motor 39 to cause dirty tissue to be slowly replaced as cleaning progresses.

In applications where no surface contact is desired the mechanism may be supported over the surface to be cleaned on an air bearing table 41 in which case the vacuum in tank 11 will pick up the solution without touching surface 43.

The apparatus may also be used for window cleaning with vacuum source 17 of FIGS. II and 2 a vacuum cleaner. The pressure output of the vacuum cleaner can be used to provide the pressure to pump fluid to tank 25 of FIG. 2 or operate atomizer 35 of FIG. 3.

Thus a method and apparatus for cleaning glass, mirrors, windows and other surfaces which permits cleaning without the danger of scratching delicate surfaces and allows cleaning surfaces which are otherwise inaccessible has been shown. Although a number of specific embodiments have been shown and described it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that others may be constructed without departing from the spirit of the invention which is intended to be solely limited by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cleaning surfaces, to which have been applied a liquid cleaning agent, by removing the residual liquid and the dirt dissolved and suspended therein, said apparatus requiring minimum contact pressure with said surface to be cleaned thereby lessening the danger of scratching comprising:

a tank having an open portion in an enclosing wall thereof and a port;

a resilient cellular material for absorbing a liquid cleaning agent and for retaining said absorbed liquid until said liquid evaporates, said resilient cellular material occupying the entire cross-sectional area of said open portion of said enclosing wall, and at least partially filling said tank depth and such that when said resilient cellular material is in contact with a surface to be cleaned said material conforms to the contour of said surface;

a vacuum source; and

means to connect said vacuum source to said port of said tank for subjecting said cellular material to a vacuum to aid in the evaporation of said liquid cleaning agent retained in said cellular material.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum source is a vacuum pump.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum source is a vacuum cleaner.

4. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising a soft material covering the exposed portions of said resilient cellular material.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said soft material is lens tissue.

6. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said soft material is cloth.

7. The invention according to claim 4 and further including means to change said soft material during use of said apparatus.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said means comprise:

a. a first roller mounted to adjacent said open portion and containing a supply of clean material; and

b. a second take-up roller mounted adjacent said open portion and opposite said first roller having said material attached thereto after passing over said open portion; and

c. means to slowly rotate said second roller.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said means to rotate comprise a slow speed motor connected through gearing to said second roller.

10. The invention according to claim 1 and further including means, attached to said tank, to apply said cleaning agent.

11. The invention according to claim 10 and further including a handle attached to said tank and applying means whereby otherwise inaccessible areas may be reached.

12. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said means to apply said cleaning agent comprises an atomizer and means to supply said agent under pressure to said atomizer.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said tank and said atomizer are mounted on an air bearing table whereby surfaces may be cleaned without any physical contact.

14. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said applying means comprise a second tank having an open portion and also having inserted in said open portion, non-abrasive, thick, absorbent material occupying the entire cross-sectional area of said open portion, said second tank containing said cleaning agent.

15. The invention according to claim 14 wherein said thick absorbent material is felt.

16. The invention according to claim 14 wherein cleaning agent is supplied to said second tank over a hose connected to an inlet pipe on said second tank.

17. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said cleaning agent moves through said hose as a result of gravity feed.

18. The invention according to claim 16 and further ,comprising to make said cleaning agent through said hose pump.

19. Apparatus for cleaning optical surfaces, to which surfaces have been applied to a liquid cleaning agent, by removing the residual liquid and the dirt dissolved and suspended therein, said apparatus requiring mini mum contact pressure with said surfaces thereby lessening the danger of scratching comprising:

a tank having an open portion in an enclosing wall thereof and a port;

a resilient cellular material for absorbing a liquid cleaning agent and for retaining said absorbed liquid until said liquid evaporates, said resilient cellular material occupying the entire cross-sectional area, and at least partially filling said tank depth and located in said open portion of said enclosing wall such that said resilient cellular material will conform to the contour of an optical surface to be cleaned;

a soft material for covering the exposed portions of said resilient cellular material;

a vacuum source; and

means to connect said vacuum source to said port of said tank for subjecting said cellular material to a vacuum to aid in the evaporation of said liquid cleaning agent retained in said cellular material.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No- 3, 816, 868 Dated June 18, 1974 lnve br Martin Dotsko It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 35, delete "to".

Column 4 lines 32 and 33, change comprising to make said cleaning agent through said hose pump. to comprising a pump to move said cleaning agent through said hose.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of December. 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

I'IcCOY M. GIBSON JR. (3. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents fQRM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 a u 5, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 o-:66-334 

1. Apparatus for cleaning surfaces, to which have been applied a liquid cleaning agent, by removing the residual liquid and the dirt dissolved and suspended therein, said apparatus requiring minimum contact pressure with said surface to be cleaned thereby lessening the danger of scratching comprising: a tank having an open portion in an enclosing wall thereof and a port; a resilient cellular material for absorbing a liquid cleaning agent and for retaining said absorbed liquid until said liquid evaporates, said resilient cellular material occupying the entire cross-sectional area of said open portion of said enclosing wall, and at least partially filling said tank depth and such that when said resilient cellular material is in contact with a surface to be cleaned said material conforms to the contour of said surface; a vacuum source; and means to connect said vacuum source to said port of said tank for subjecting said cellular material to a vacuum to aid in the evaporation of said liquid cleaning agent retained in said cellular material.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum source is a vacuum pump.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum source is a vacuum cleaner.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising a soft material covering the exposed portions of said resilient cellular material.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said soft material is lens tissue.
 6. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said soft material is cloth.
 7. The invention according to claim 4 and further including means to change said soft material during use of said apparatus.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said means comprise: a. a first roller mounted to adjacent said open portion and containing a supply of clean material; and b. a second take-up roller mounted adjacent said open portion and opposite said first roller having said material attached thereto after passing over said open portion; and c. means to slowly rotate said second roller.
 9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said means to rotate comprise a slow speed motor connected through gearing to said second roller.
 10. The invention according to claim 1 and further including means, attached to said tank, to apply said cleaning agent.
 11. The invention according to claim 10 and further including a handle attached to said tank and applying means whereby otherwise inaccessible areas may be reached.
 12. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said means to apply said cleaning agent comprises an atomizer and means to supply said agent under pressure to said atomizer.
 13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said tank and said atomizer are mounted on an air bearing table whereby surfaces may be cleaned without any physical contact.
 14. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said applying means comprise a second tank having an open portion and also having inserted in said open portion, non-abrasive, thick, absorbent material occupying the entire cross-sectional area of said open portion, said second tank containing said cleaning agent.
 15. The invention according to claim 14 wherein said thick absorbent material is felt.
 16. The invention according to claim 14 wherein cleaning agent is supplied to said second tank over a hose connected to an inlet Pipe on said second tank.
 17. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said cleaning agent moves through said hose as a result of gravity feed.
 18. The invention according to claim 16 and further comprising to make said cleaning agent through said hose pump.
 19. Apparatus for cleaning optical surfaces, to which surfaces have been applied to a liquid cleaning agent, by removing the residual liquid and the dirt dissolved and suspended therein, said apparatus requiring minimum contact pressure with said surfaces thereby lessening the danger of scratching comprising: a tank having an open portion in an enclosing wall thereof and a port; a resilient cellular material for absorbing a liquid cleaning agent and for retaining said absorbed liquid until said liquid evaporates, said resilient cellular material occupying the entire cross-sectional area, and at least partially filling said tank depth and located in said open portion of said enclosing wall such that said resilient cellular material will conform to the contour of an optical surface to be cleaned; a soft material for covering the exposed portions of said resilient cellular material; a vacuum source; and means to connect said vacuum source to said port of said tank for subjecting said cellular material to a vacuum to aid in the evaporation of said liquid cleaning agent retained in said cellular material. 